The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 13, 2005
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
St. Anthony of Padua, priest, religious, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Psalm 98:1-4
Matthew 5:38-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel, we hear Jesus tell us even more about the way we must interact with one another. Expanding on the beatitudes, He goes further and gives us some real-life circumstances and tells us what our "attitudes of being" must resemble, if we are to be His followers.

Not surprising, what He says runs counter to the world's way of thinking. We are not to be afraid of getting hurt, but must make ourselves vulnerable, even to to those who bid us ill. That doesn't mean we don't defend ourselves, but that we are not aloof so as to save face and stature. Instead we are to put ourselves at risk for being hurt so that we might be present to others. "And why would we do that?” any 'street smart' person would say? It is precisely because that is what Jesus did.

If the world is ever going to change it will be because one by one in countless hidden circumstances, mankind begins to imitate Christ who did not hide from His enemies, hoard His power or turn His back on sinners.

O Jesus,
meek and humble of heart,
make my heart like unto Thine.
Amen

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2005 The Way, The Truth, The Life